The year 2007, to date, is probably the busiest year within the span of my existence. Events had continually challenged and inspired me which nonetheless contributed to my growth as a tao. Academic concerns, family-related affairs, and personal matters provided the colorful hues serving as magnificent leaves in my life. People, who passed and who have chosen to stay have thought me significant learning. To sum it all up, below is my list of: TWELVE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS which contributed to who I am now: (not in order)
JOSE RIZAL MODEL STUDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES (JRMSP) FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY’S OFFICIAL NOMINEE
I was FEU Manila’s official nominee to the Knights of Rizal’s Search for the Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines. I am glad that after my long journey of student leadership (which is yet to end), I could say that I have already grown into a very socially responsible, patriotic and mature young man whose aspirations go beyond self encompassing national and global concerns. In the university setting, one need not be the CSO President in order to serve and be able to make a difference.
YOUTH SPEAKER IN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES' WORLD EARTh'S DAY MULTI-SECTORAL PLEDGE OF COMMITMENT
Being one of the founders/pioneers of the Clean Air Youth Alliance (CAYA), a loose ensemble of student organizations including: FEU Tamaraw Volunteers (TAMVOL), Ateneo Environmental Science Society (Ateneo-ESS), University of the Philippines Student Association of Valuers of Energy Resources (UP-SAVER), De La Salle College of St. Benilde Greenergy, Couples for Christ-Oikos, among others), I was privileged to be a resource speaker during the Multi-Sectoral Pledge of Commitment: Let’s Beat the Heat organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as part of the World Earth’s Day celebration. It fueled the living environmentalist in my veins and inspire me to pursue graduate studies in environmental planning and management in the future.
(For a copy of the speech, visit: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/tamvol [File Section])
BOLINAO, PANGASINAN SOJOURN
After seven long years or so, I was able to join with my family in the 2007 All Saint’s Day vacation in Bolinao, Pangasinan where my mom hailed. Being a self-confessed mama’s boy myself, I enjoyed the five-day vacation in the province of the miraculous Señor Santiago despite concerns that were pressing me that time. I loved the food, the sea and its people.
REAL WORLD SNEAK PEAK: E-PLDT VENTUS JOB | TELEFLORA
Encouraged by the FEU Department of English, I together with my colleagues experienced our first real job at E-PLDT Ventus in Ortigas. While the duration was brief it still was able to give us practical training as future linguists and language/communication practitioner. Not to mention, it provided us orientation about the widely-known outsourcing industry which many of us would opt to pursue career with.
GAWAD KALINGA [GK] BAYANI CHALLENGE IN LEGASPI, BICOL
Together with three other Tamaraw Volunteers (Tony Ramos, RM Luna and Ren Alincastre), I joined this year’s Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challege in Anislag, Legaspi City, Bicol. Kuya Ralph Reuben Morales of Ayala Young Leaders Alumni extended the invitation to me; we were with Ayala Corporation delegation. Aside from experiencing real life bayanihan, I was happy to have met Ayala Young Leaders of my batch (Marvs, MR, Rap) and other students from Miriam College, Obi Montessori, Claret School, among others. It was also my furthest travel down south.
[To know more about Gawad Kalinga, visit: www.gawadkalinga.org]
SIBLINGS LEFT FOR ABROAD
Ate Yhen, my eldest sister, after finishing her undergraduate and post-baccalaureate degrees from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila left to work abroad [Middle East]. She will be flying to California soon. Meanwhile, Kuya Ryan, my brother-in-law, after a month, also left for Taiwan. I want them home already.
45TH NATIONAL RIZAL YOUNG LEADERS INSTITUTE [NRYLI]
This five-day conference in Baguio City stands out as among the best conferences which has influenced my being a leader. Not only did it teach its participants the value of patriotism in these times of national despair, it also succeeded in initiating values reintegration in the most insightful, comprehensive and moving manner. In response, I am inspired to establish a KAPARIZ Chapter in Manila with other delegates from the city. Moreover, for the very first time in my life, I felt uber-inspired by someone who mad me feel special [cheesy].
FIRST FEU VOLUNTEERS WEEK [A.K.A. NATION BUILDING WEEK]
Team TAMVOL 2007-2008 succeeded in organizing the 1st FEU Volunteers Week, otherwise known as the Nation Building Week, just in time for the celebration of the University's Community Service Month. Much credit is to be given to earlier batches of Executive Board headed by Mark Dean Itaralde SY 2004-2005], Kares Salendrez [SY 2005-2006] and Danilo Cortes [SY 2006-2007] for furnishing the project proposal. Expectedly, this will be an annual event to serve as celebration of youth volunteers who are contriubutors to today's society.
COKE PLANET PROJECT: A RACE TO SAVE THE EARTH 2007
Grueling with 126 registered student organizations, FEU Tamaraw Volunteers occupied one of the top ten spots for this year's Coke Planet Project. Leading Team TAMVOL, I was with RA Guillermo, Jam Molintas, Jane Tolentino, Josh Baling, Tony Ramos and RJ Jariol in a race held at SM Mall of Asia last October 20. It has been very tiring yet fully rewarding. We are planning to host our version at FEU before the school year ends and continue promoting Environmental Protection as a pressing advocacy.
[To learn more about CPP, visit: www.cokebarkada.com]
FEU INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENCY
Inspired by the desire to bring about deep-level changes in the FEU-IAS, I ran for Presidency under the political party which has been instrumental in molding effective and efficient Tamaraw Leaders. The experience exposed me to the loopholes of a democaratic system contextulaized in the FEU setting as well as to the weakening values of people involved in that depressing system which calls, nonetheless, for one's strength in character. The loss is actually a victory to me as I have been privileged to head the most dynamic student organization in FEU today, the Tamaraw Volunteers. Moreover, the experience granted me my beloved ponkan family.
DREAM TEAM: SANDIGAN IAS STUDENT COUNCIL 0708
THE PONKANS
BIRTH OF THE FEU-IAS PARAGON
If there would be someone who would be so happy with the release of the Paragon's maiden issue last November 27, that would definitely be me. While we were not able to come out with an issue during my batch as founding Editor-in-Chief because of organizational financial constraints (blueprints were all ready), it elated me just well that the name Paragon (which I personally chose together with my co-officers and adviser in the IAS SC 2006-2007) is still preferred. Coming along with the birth is a controversy beset upon me via a Letter to the Editor written by an SC Officer. While the contents are deceitful, speculative and uncalled for, causing initial headaches on my part, I am appreciative that it made me realize that I have a lot of faculty mentors around me (from whom I asked guidance on my course of action) and that I must not worry watchful detractors as long as I am not doing anything bad or evil. Nevertheless, I am happy, really, to have 'brainchilded' the Paragon to serve as an instrument of change and inspiration of excellence and hope in our Institute and the entire university - a legacy which I will always cherish and look back.
IAS STUDENT COUNCIL BATCH WHICH GAVE THE NAME 'PARAGON'
PARAGON'S PIONEER STAFF
33RD YOUNG MEN'S CHRSITIAN ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS ACCOLADES
Just in time with the culmination of my student leadership life, I was awarded Outstading Delegate in the national congress for student leaders held in Baguio, plus another medal for a gabfest. YMCA has been one the more effective training grounds to me as a leader. Aside from the rare opportunity to inspire intercultural friendships with other students across the nation, this year's speakers have been perfectly responsive to the Congress theme: That All May Be One. Resolution-making, in general, has also been insightful and less brain-racking. (related blog could be found in www.jpcuminga.multiply.com entitled Charging Tams, The Blue Berries and Golds: On the 33rd YMCA National Congress for College Students: A Personal Account)
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